Choices
Choice twenty: Sirius
Families are supposed to be there for one another. To show compassion and understand. They show you guidance and help shape you into the person you become. Thank Merlin mine failed.
My family doesn't understand the word compassion. The only guidance they give is the way to the dark side. My family are Evil, with a capital E.
My mother was a Parkinson before she became a Black. They weren't the richest family, but they knew the difference in breeding. One must be of pure blood to excel.
She pushed me to think like she did. Wanted me to be as they were. Even had my marriage to Penelope Nott arranged by the age of six.
I would have loved to see her face when she got my owls. What a disappointment to the family did I turn out to be!
Then there was father, who believed money spoke. Well I suppose it does, in the circle he's involved with. But not the circle I wish to be with.
And my brother, what a weakling he's turning out to be. I see the way he allowed Mother to shape him. He wants the money, doesn't see that you can be happy without it.
Then there's the extended family. The only one other like me in the family is Andromeda. They call us the 'white sheep'. I know it's sad, but for them it's smart.
Black stands for evil; in muggle movies, the bad guy is always in black. Maybe that means my family were always destined to be that way. Not me, though… or Andromeda, thankfully.
I had a choice, to stay with them and learn their ways… or to get out while I could.
It wasn't difficult; I left. I made sure no one connected us; I moved in with James' family. I considered changing my name to Potter; after all James was my brother, my family.
I kept Black though, as a lasting insult to my family. One that was good and stood up for the 'little guy'; the side that was morally correct.
I can't wait for the day when people will say there goes the only good Black. I made my choice and I live by it.